amazon
This morning, Amazon e-mailed all
North Carolina residents who are part of its Associates program to notify them that their accounts will be terminated in the next few weeks.
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vat
The Washington Post writes that a national
sales tax, known in other countries as a value-added tax or VAT, is
getting some attention in DC, even among Democrats, who traditionally don't favor regressive taxing schemes. The article notes some pros and cons about a VAT, as well as the small problem that imposing a 25% sales tax on everything would be political suicide.
newegg
Reader
Chris Schiffner pinged Newegg to see why and how they
stopped collecting New York State tax. They sent him an answer, posted after the jump, but here's the short story: A new New York law would have required internet retailers using affiliate marketing to collect sales tax, so Newegg "restructured its affiliate marketing program." The new structure somehow avoids having to collect New York sales tax. Shrug. Whatever, New York geeks, rejoice!
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sales tax
Reader Duke has forwarded us an email he got from Newegg explaining that as of yesterday they are no longer collecting
New York state taxes. Hooray! Of course, you still have to pay your sales tax... but now it's your responsibility.
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school supplies
School supplies in eight states are tax-free this weekend thanks to sales tax holidays. Hurry though, because the savings expire at the end of the day, unless you live in Washington D.C., where the savings last through August 10. The full list, inside...
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pringles
Seeking to evade a 17.5% sales tax, lawyers for Procter & Gamble successfully argued that Pringles aren't actually potato chips. Even though all Pringles containers are clearly marked "Potato Crisps," Procter & Gamble's lawyers argued that "Pringles don't look like a chip, don't feel like a chip, and don't taste like a chip."
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taxes
According to the
New York Times, Governor Spitzer (of New York) is trying to pass a law that would force
Amazon.com to collect sales tax for customers in NY:
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legal
Reader Dave asks an interesting question. Should GameStop be charging sales tax on an XBOX live membership card? Generally speaking, only "tangible goods" are subject to sales tax, though every state is different.
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retail
An Express in New York City charged a sharp-eyed reader tax on a belt that cost $34.50. Neither the city nor state levy tax on items costing less than $110.
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consumerist kit
Is it better to order online that Oozinator from Amazon, or from Oozinator's R Us? The deciding factor may the sales tax. Figuring out that last surcharge can be a chore, but How To be Websmart has done it for us in a new article.
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blogs
• Cingular. Giftcard. Eternity. A new fragrance not offered by your favorite wireless provider. [
Advice Goddess]
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Consumerist
now you sears, now you don'ts
crisis averted
taxation with misrepresentation
Did you know that in California, if you ask the Subway sandwich mechanic (or whatever they're called) to toast your sandwich, you'll be charged a sales tax, whereas if you go untoasted you won't? Crazy! Thomas Hawk says you should always order your coffee to go at California restaurants, even if you plan on drinking it there, to avoid a similar crazy tax. [Thomas Hawk] (Thanks to Glenn!)
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amazon
